What is Woodturning?

Woodturning is a unique form of woodworking that uses a tool called a lathe. In all other forms of woodworking, the wood is still and it is the tool that is moving to create cuts. In woodturning, the wood is turning and the cutter is relatively stationary.

So what about woodturning?

Woodturning is a very dynamic form of woodworking that allows for an incredible variety of outcomes. There are two main types of woodturning: spindle and faceplate turning. The main differences between spindle woodturning and faceplate woodturning is in regards to the direction of the wood’s grain in relation to the axis of the lathe.

What is a lathe?

The lathe is an ancient tool that dates back to ancient Egypt, and whose anatomy has evolved greatly, yet many of the main basic principles have stayed the same… A lathe is a machine that allows wood to be turned on its axis at high RPM’s in order to create a wide variety of objects including bowls, plates, chair legs, table legs, stair ballusters, pens, goblets, boxes and more.

What makes woodturning so fun?

In the digital age, so much of our work and daily lives can be far removed from the physical act of creation. Woodturning is a romantic art that returns to the roots, literally, to the wood that is formed by the seasons, and allows for a unique type of meditation that involves both mind and body. Woodturning is accessible to most people, and compared to other types of woodworking, can require less machinery and tools. Michael Roper, professional woodturner and woodturning teacher enjoys helping woodturners of all skill levels improve their skills and have more fun with woodturning. If you’re interested in getting started with woodturning, or if you’d like to improve your woodturning skills, send Roper a message in the form on the contact page! Or call (970)-846-6537 for more information.